Inground pool cost in Chattanooga, TN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $34,200 – $107,000
- Per sq ft
- $76 – $237
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −5%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #186
- 1 = most expensive
Chattanooga homeowners pay roughly $34,200 to $107,000 to install an inground pool at 450 sq ft, or $76 to $237 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Chattanooga is 5% lower. Construction laborers earn a median of $20.80 an hour in the Chattanooga area, 8% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Chattanooga, TN, standard level
$56,000 to $85,000
About $124 to $189 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 51% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $27,000 | $41,200 |
| Labor | $28,800 | $43,600 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $220 |
| Total | $56,000 | $85,000 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Chattanooga, TN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,400 | $34,100 | $51,800 | 48% |
| Labor | $17,700 | $36,200 | $54,700 | 51% |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $180 | $270 | 0% |
| Total | $34,200 | $70,500 | $107,000 | 100% |
Why Chattanooga prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 40% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $20.80 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Chattanooga is 0.94 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 51% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Chattanooga metro is 96.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 450 sq ft comes to $34,100, compared with $35,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (91.5) and land at $90 to $270.
When to schedule inground pool in Chattanooga
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Chattanooga Lovell Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through June and September through October are the stretches where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Chattanooga (6 of 12 months). January, February, November and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below; July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
The 40°F line is a deliberately cautious stand-in. The American Concrete Institute's cold-weather guide (ACI 306R-16) defines cold-weather concreting around an average daily air temperature below 40°F, which is colder than our test of an average overnight low at or below 40°F, so we flag a few extra shoulder months. In cold weather crews may need heated enclosures, insulating blankets or accelerated mixes, and those measures can raise a quote.
Heat matters for concrete as well. With average highs of 90°F or more in July and August, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Chattanooga gets about 55 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 4 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, July and December (5.3 inches in March). Inside the workable window, May and October are the driest, at 3.9 and 3.6 inches. The station averages about 58 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 51 | 32 | 5.0 | Cold |
| Feb | 56 | 36 | 5.0 | Cold |
| Mar | 64 | 42 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 74 | 50 | 4.9 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 59 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 88 | 67 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 91 | 71 | 5.1 | Hot |
| Aug | 90 | 70 | 3.7 | Hot |
| Sep | 84 | 64 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 74 | 51 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 62 | 40 | 4.8 | Cold |
| Dec | 53 | 35 | 5.3 | Cold |
Specs and site conditions that change a Chattanooga bid
Pool type
Vinyl pools are $25,000-$65,000, fiberglass $45,000-$100,000, and concrete or gunite $50,000-$120,000 (HomeGuide).
Maintenance
Pool maintenance is $80-$150 a month; concrete pools also need an acid wash every 3-5 years at $300-$1,000.
Permit
A building permit for a pool is $100-$300 and contractors often include it. Many cities add plumbing and electrical permits.
Related projects, priced for Chattanooga
Because every project leans on different trades, Chattanooga's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, retaining wall runs −2% and concrete patio −11%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,550 – $10,700 | −6% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,900 – $5,300 | −3% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,550 | −11% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,900 – $13,800 | −9% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $550 – $1,950 | −8% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,950 – $13,100 | −2% |
Chattanooga against nearby metros and the rest of Tennessee
Same job, same size (450 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Nashville is the priciest of the group at $72,400. Dalton is the cheapest at $63,100.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TNthis page | $34,200 – $107,000 | $70,500 | |
| Dalton, GA35 miles | $30,600 – $95,700 | $63,100 | −10% |
| Huntsville, AL80 miles | $32,000 – $99,900 | $65,900 | −6% |
| Knoxville, TN95 miles | $34,200 – $107,000 | $70,600 | level |
| Gainesville, GA100 miles | $31,900 – $99,700 | $65,800 | −7% |
| Nashville, TN105 miles | $35,100 – $109,500 | $72,400 | +3% |
| Tennessee (statewide) | $34,300 – $107,000 | $70,800 | level |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | +6% |
Across 300 US metros, Chattanooga comes in at #186 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $105,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $62,300 (midpoints, 450 sq ft). Statewide, Chattanooga is 0% below the Tennessee figure.
Other Tennessee metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | 1,099,300 jobs | $35,100 – $109,500 | $72,400 | +3% |
| Memphis, TN | 611,670 jobs | $34,600 – $108,000 | $71,300 | +1% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $34,200 – $107,000 | $70,600 | level |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $34,400 – $107,500 | $70,900 | +1% |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $33,700 – $105,500 | $69,600 | −1% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $33,600 – $105,000 | $69,300 | −2% |
Cities with a workforce like Chattanooga's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Chattanooga against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poughkeepsie, NY | 268,970 jobs | $41,500 – $129,500 | $85,600 | +21% |
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $32,000 – $99,900 | $65,900 | −6% |
| Jackson, MS | 270,730 jobs | $31,800 – $99,300 | $65,500 | −7% |
| Lakeland, FL | 265,280 jobs | $32,000 – $100,000 | $66,000 | −6% |
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 4 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Chattanooga is 0.94 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $20.80 an hour, 8% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.64 and $23.48 an hour. About 1,800 work in the metro. That is 67.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $24.19 an hour, which is 16% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.75 and $28.77 an hour. BLS counts 750 of them working in the area, 27.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is about average.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021), 20% of the weighting: a median of $33.49 an hour, 12% above the US median of $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $29.89 and $33.49 an hour. About 150 work in the metro. That is 5.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 3.4 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 10%) the local median is $28.23 an hour, which is 8% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.34 and $34.14 an hour. BLS counts 860 of them working in the area, 32.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($23.48 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,850. At the 25th percentile ($17.64) it shrinks by about $2,150. The total moves by 2.6% or 3.1%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 268,750 jobs in the Chattanooga area. That makes it the 98th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.17% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $17.64 | $20.80 | $23.48 | $22.66 | 0.92 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $21.75 | $24.19 | $28.77 | $28.78 | 0.84 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $29.89 | $33.49 | $33.49 | $29.87 | 1.12 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $22.34 | $28.23 | $34.14 | $30.67 | 0.92 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.94 | |||||
Chattanooga: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Chattanooga wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 3 common sizes.
Basic
$34,200 to $63,300
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$56,000 to $85,000
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$77,800 to $107,000
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $30,400 – $56,200 | $49,800 – $75,600 | $69,200 – $95,000 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $38,900 – $71,900 | $63,700 – $96,700 | $88,500 – $121,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $60,700 – $112,500 | $99,400 – $151,000 | $138,000 – $189,500 |
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Inground pool in Chattanooga: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Chattanooga?
For 450 sq ft, expect $34,200 to $107,000 in the Chattanooga area. A standard-spec job lands at $56,000 to $85,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Chattanooga?
About $76 to $237 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $90 to $270 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Chattanooga or Dalton?
Dalton is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $63,100, which is 10% less than Chattanooga ($70,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Chattanooga?
About 51% at the midpoint, or $36,200 out of $70,500. Materials are 48% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Chattanooga?
$38,900 to $121,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Chattanooga?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $90 to $270 for fees in the Chattanooga area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Chattanooga expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Tennessee?
Chattanooga is 0% below the Tennessee statewide estimate ($70,800 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Tennessee; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Chattanooga?
The BLS median is $20.80 an hour in the Chattanooga area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.64 to $23.48.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Chattanooga?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $34,200 to $63,300 and premium work $77,800 to $107,000. Basic means: vinyl-liner pool, small size. Premium means: concrete or gunite, large with custom features.
+When is the best time to install an inground pool in Chattanooga?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through June and September through October. May and October are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Inground pool near Chattanooga
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does An Inground Pool Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = 48% of the installed price, from Cost to Renovate's mid-range 'Outdoor Living' category split. It is a category average, not a pool-specific one, so read the pool materials line loosely.